US Navy Ship Anchors Off Coast of Lebanon

The USS Nashville anchored off the coast of Lebanon on July 20 to receive some 1,200 Americans fleeing fighting to take them to Cyprus. The Nashville was deployed as the United States and other countries ramp up their evacuation operations from the war-torn country. Early on July 20, some 900 Americans arrived safely in Cyprus aboard a luxury cruise ship the Orient Queen. Around 8,000 of the 25,000 Americans in Lebanon have asked to be evacuated. The Nashville was one of several Navy ships that headed to Lebanon late July 19 to assist with the evacuation. Most evacuees are leaving by sea as officials from several countries deemed the overland route to Syria too dangerous and Israel knocked Beirut's airport out of service last week by bombing its runways. (Source: washingtonpost.com)